The 21st century is the most technologically advanced era humankind has ever seen, but at the same time our planet is in danger thanks to people’s daily activity. We are at the brim of a devastating environmental crisis and being conscious about nature is more important than ever. The problem looks so massive and complex that often people give up before they’ve even tried putting in an effort. But you can make a difference, no matter how small it seems to you. Here are 5 ways you can help the environment with your daily chores. Little adjustments that will have a big impact if more of us decide to make them.
Recycle Correctly
Recycling is not a new theme. There have been so many government and NGO programmes aiming to educate people on the importance of recycling in the past decade. Yet, the majority of people who have taken up on the idea do it wrong. One of the biggest problems we have is waste that is not managed appropriately. Mixing plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, metal and other materials makes it really hard for recycling plants to reuse that waste and it ends up covering huge areas of our precious planet. While biodegradable materials are easily absorbed by nature, it takes hundreds of years for others to be dissolved in the soil or water. Special recycling machines can speed up that process, but for that to work, the waste must be separated first. It starts with you at home.
Use Eco Friendly Cleaning Products
Did you know that the cleaning industry is the third biggest contributor to water pollution? That’s because of the heavy chemicals used in many traditional cleaning products. However, nowadays there are plenty of non-toxic and eco-friendly solutions that are just as efficient, yet less harmful. If you do the cleaning at home yourself try to swap with green cleaning products. And if you hire a domestic cleaner, ask them to use eco-friendly alternatives in your home.
Minimise Plastic Use for Storage
The use of cling film generates a lot of plastic waste that doesn’t always get recycled because it is not separated from other materials. A healthy, environmentally-friendly and effective alternative to cling film are wax wrappers. They are made from fabric, treated with beeswax and can be reused for up to a year. They would keep your food fresh and protected just as well as the plastic does, but are much better for the planet and your own health!
Consider Steam as Means of Disinfection
Bleach is one of the most commonly used disinfectants. It contains strong and dangerous chemicals that can harm humans, animals, plants and the environment as a whole. Steam on the other hand, is completely natural and kills over 99% of all known viruses and bacteria. Currently, there are steam cleaners that can work on almost all types of surfaces without causing damage. Consider investing in one of those or ask your cleaning company if they can provide a steam cleaning service.
Use Professional Laundry Service
The frequent use of laundry products also pollutes the water and harms sealife. If more households turn to a professional laundry service this would decrease the amount of wastewater and the chemicals released in nature. A further benefit, of course, is having more time to spend with your loved ones, doing the things that make you feel good. It’s a win-win situation.
